The first time I tried to get across Tokyo during the evening rush, I stood in front of a ticket machine at Shinjuku for a full four minutes, convinced I had broken something. The station map looked like a bowl of coloured spaghetti. People flowed around me without so much as a glance. Then a salaryman in a rumpled grey suit tapped my shoulder, pointed at a small card reader by the gate, and mimed the word "Suica". I tapped, the gate opened, and I never queued at a ticket machine again.
That is the real secret of getting around Tokyo like a local: it is far less complicated than it looks, and almost all of the difficulty comes from not knowing a handful of small habits. Which side of the escalator to stand on. Which exit to take. Which line is actually the one you want when four companies share the same platform name. This guide pulls together everything I wish someone had told me on day one, written for Singapore travellers who are used to the MRT, SimplyGo and the odd Grab, and who are about to meet a transport network that is bigger, busier and surprisingly polite.
We will go through the rail network, the cards that make life easy, airport transfers, buses, taxis, walking, day-trip trains to Hakone and Nikko, the etiquette that gets you through a crowded carriage without a single dirty look, and a few sample days with real timings. Where it helps, I have pointed to tickets and passes you can book with us ahead of time. Prices change, so treat every yen figure below as a planning guide rather than a promise, and always check the latest fare on the day.
1. How Tokyo's Rail Network Actually Works
Tokyo does not have one metro. It has several overlapping systems run by different companies, and understanding that single fact removes most of the confusion. There are three groups you will use constantly.
JR East runs the big overground loops and the long-distance trains. The Yamanote Line is the famous green circle that links Tokyo, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, Ueno and most of the places visitors want to see. The Chuo Line cuts straight across the middle from Tokyo Station through Shinjuku. The Keihin-Tohoku and Sobu lines handle the east side. If you remember nothing else, remember that the Yamanote Line is your anchor: stand on any platform and you can always get to the next big hub within ten minutes.
Tokyo Metro runs nine underground lines, each with a letter and a colour. The Ginza Line (G, orange) is the oldest and links Asakusa and Shibuya. The Marunouchi Line (M, red) loops through Shinjuku and Ginza. The Hibiya Line (H, silver) is handy for Ueno, Ginza, Roppongi and Ebisu. Every station has a code such as G-19 or M-08, which is a lifesaver when station names are written only in Japanese on a side sign.
Toei Subway is the city-run network of four lines. The Oedo Line (E, ruby) is the deep circular line that reaches Roppongi, Tsukiji and Ryogoku. The Asakusa Line (A, rose) heads towards both airports. The catch is that Toei and Tokyo Metro are separate companies, so a transfer between them can trigger an extra charge if you are paying single fares.
On top of those sit the private railways, such as Odakyu, Keio, Tokyu and Tobu, which fan out from big terminals to the suburbs and to day-trip destinations. You will probably meet at least two of them, because Hakone, Takao and Nikko are all reached on private or JR lines that start from a major hub.
The Station Codes Trick
Here is the habit that made the biggest difference for me. Ignore line names, and follow the code. Every line has a letter and every station on it a number. If you are at Shibuya on the Ginza Line (G-01) and want Asakusa (G-19), you simply ride the orange line towards the higher number. Signs on every platform show the next three or four stops with their codes, so you never need to read a character of Japanese. Google Maps and Apple Maps both show the codes too, and will tell you which car to board so you land beside the right exit.
Quick Comparison of the Main Networks
| Network | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| JR Yamanote Line | Linking the big hubs in a loop | Very crowded at 8am and 6pm |
| Tokyo Metro | Direct hops between sights | Deep stations, long walks to exits |
| Toei Subway | Roppongi, Ryogoku, airport links | Extra fare when switching to Metro |
| Private railways | Hakone, Nikko, Takao, suburbs | Separate tickets and passes |
2. Cards, Passes and Tickets: What to Buy and When
This is where most visitors overspend or waste time, so let me be blunt. You need two things: a tap-to-pay card for everyday rides, and, only if your plans justify it, a pass for unlimited travel or a specific day trip.
The IC Card: Suica, Pasmo and Friends
IC cards are the rechargeable cards locals use for everything. Suica and Pasmo are the two best known, and they work on practically every train, subway and bus in the city, as well as in vending machines, convenience stores, lockers and many cafes. They are interchangeable for a visitor, so do not agonise over which logo you hold. You tap in, tap out, and the fare is deducted automatically. You can add a Suica or Pasmo to an iPhone Wallet in a couple of minutes before you even leave Singapore, and top up with a regular card. Android phones have more patchy support depending on the model, so check before you rely on it. If you prefer a physical card, machines in major stations sell them, though availability of plain cards has been limited at times, so keep the mobile option as a backup. A physical card usually carries a refundable deposit of around ¥500, with the rest as loadable balance.
My routine: load around ¥3,000 to ¥5,000 on arrival, top up at any station machine or convenience store with cash, and keep an eye on the balance on the gate screen as you tap out. A typical city ride costs roughly ¥150 to ¥300, so a day of hopping around usually lands between ¥600 and ¥1,200.
Unlimited-Ride Subway Tickets
If you plan to ride the subway a lot in a short window, a 24, 48 or 72-hour ticket covering Tokyo Metro and Toei lines can work out cheaper than paying per ride. These tickets are sold at airports and major stations, and the price is a small fraction of a Japan-wide rail pass. The sums only favour you if you take at least five or six rides a day. For a relaxed itinerary with a lot of walking, the IC card alone is usually cheaper.
For travellers who would rather sort everything in advance and arrive with it ready, we sell a 3-day Tokyo Metro pass bundle that pairs unlimited subway rides with discounts at some landmark attractions.
There is also a one-week pass that combines city transport and attraction savings.
Do You Need a Japan Rail Pass?
Almost certainly not, if Tokyo is your main base. After the big price rise in 2023 the nationwide pass only pays off when you chain together several long bullet-train journeys in a short window, such as Tokyo to Kyoto to Hiroshima and back. For a Tokyo-only trip with a couple of day excursions, regional passes are far better value. The Kanto Region pass, for instance, is built for exactly this: travelling out from Tokyo to nearby prefectures without paying for a nationwide ticket.
| Your plan | What to use | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 3 to 5 days, mostly walking and a few rides | IC card only | Pay-as-you-go stays cheaper |
| Packed sightseeing days, 6+ rides daily | Unlimited subway pass | Saves money and tapping decisions |
| Hakone or Nikko day trip | Regional area pass | Covers trains, buses and sightseeing links |
| Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and back in 7 days | Run the numbers first | Nationwide pass only wins on many long hops |
3. From the Airport to Your Hotel
Tokyo has two airports, and which one you land at changes your options. Narita is about an hour out of the city to the east. Haneda sits right on the edge of town and is far more convenient. Singapore has flights to both, so check your ticket carefully before you plan the transfer.
Haneda Airport
From Haneda, the monorail and the Keikyu line are the cheap and quick options. The Keikyu line runs straight to Shinagawa in around fifteen minutes and connects with the Yamanote Line from there. The Tokyo Monorail runs to Hamamatsucho, also on the Yamanote Line. Both are simple, and both accept your IC card, so you can tap through the gate straight off the arrivals floor.
Airport limousine buses are the easiest option if you have heavy bags and a hotel in a bay-side area such as Odaiba, Toyosu or Takeshiba, because they drop you near the door and you do not have to change trains.
Narita Airport
Narita is further away, so the choice matters. The Narita Express is the comfortable reserved-seat train to Tokyo, Shinjuku, Shibuya and Yokohama. The Keisei Skyliner is the fast one to Ueno and Nippori, with the quickest journey time to central Tokyo. The ordinary Keisei Access Express and the rapid trains cost much less but take longer and fill up in the morning. If you land late at night, check the last train time before you decide, because Narita services stop earlier than you might expect.
When a Private Transfer Is Worth It
I resisted private cars for years, but there are times when they make sense: arriving after midnight with children, travelling with a wheelchair, hauling golf bags or ski gear, or sharing between four people so the per-head cost drops. A pre-booked driver meets you in arrivals, handles the bags and gets you to the hotel without any fuss. A Haneda to downtown transfer is here:
| Option | Time to central Tokyo | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Haneda train or monorail | About 20 to 35 minutes | Solo travellers and couples |
| Haneda limousine bus | About 30 to 60 minutes | Heavy luggage, bay-area hotels |
| Narita express train | About 40 to 90 minutes | Direct rides to major hubs |
| Private transfer | Depends on traffic | Families, groups, late arrivals |
4. Train Etiquette: The Unwritten Rules
This is the part that separates people who look lost from people who look like they live there. None of it is difficult, and the payoff is that crowded carriages feel calm rather than stressful.
Keep quiet. Phone calls on trains are frowned on, and most people put their phone on silent. Chat softly if you are in a group. The silence is not unfriendliness; it is a shared courtesy that makes a packed carriage tolerable.
Queue at the marked spots. Platforms have painted lines or arrows showing where each door will stop. People line up in two neat rows either side of the door and let passengers off before they board. Walk to the line, join it, and you will never be elbowed.
Backpacks come off. In a crowded train, take your backpack off and hold it at your feet or on the luggage rack. It is the single most noticeable thing visitors do wrong, and fixing it earns you a lot of quiet goodwill.
Priority seats. The coloured seats near the doors are for older travellers, pregnant passengers, people with injuries and those with small children. If the carriage is empty, you can sit, but stand up if someone who needs it arrives.
Eating and drinking. Snacking on local commuter trains is considered rude, although long-distance trains and bullet trains are fine, and passengers happily open their lunch boxes there. Save your convenience-store sandwich for the platform bench or the shinkansen.
The escalator. In Tokyo, people stand on the left and walk on the right. In Osaka, it is the other way round. If you plan to visit both cities, you will confuse yourself for a day or two. When in doubt, copy the person in front of you.
Women-only cars. On some lines, one car is marked as women-only during the morning rush. It is clearly signed in pink on the platform. Men should avoid boarding it in those hours.
5. Timing Your Day Around the Rush
The famous packed trains are real, but they are predictable. The worst crush is on the main commuter lines roughly between 7:30 and 9:00 in the morning, heading towards the central hubs, and again from about 5:30 to 7:30 in the evening in the opposite direction. If you are heading to a sight at opening time, either arrive before 7:30 or wait until after 9:30. On weekends the pattern flips. Shopping districts such as Shibuya, Harajuku and Ginza get busy by late morning, while the business districts turn eerily empty. This is a good time to see Marunouchi or Otemachi at your leisure.
Last trains are another surprise. Most lines stop running soon after midnight, and the final departure times differ by line and direction. The apps will tell you the last train for your exact route. If you plan a night in Roppongi or Shinjuku, check it before you go out, or you may face an expensive taxi ride or a wait for the first train around 5am.
6. Buses, Taxis, Bikes and Your Own Two Feet
Buses
City buses are underused by visitors and a lot of fun. They fill gaps the trains miss, particularly in areas like Roppongi, Shibuya to Daikanyama, or the Asakusa to Skytree stretch. Most use a flat fare. You board at the middle or front door depending on the route, tap your IC card on the reader as you get on or off, and press the stop button when you want to alight. Announcements are in Japanese and English on most central routes. Stay seated until the bus stops completely.
Taxis
Taxis are clean, safe and metered, and the rear door opens and closes automatically, so do not touch it. Do not tip. Drivers rarely speak much English, so have your destination written in Japanese on your phone. Late at night, expect surcharges. Taxis make the most sense for short hops with luggage, after the last train, or when it is pouring with rain. Many accept cards and IC cards but carry a bit of cash as a backup.
Cycling
Tokyo is better for cycling than you would think, especially in quiet neighbourhoods and along the waterfront. Rental bikes and e-bikes are available by the hour in many wards. Follow the rules: ride on the left, never ride on the pavement through crowds, park in designated spaces only, and do not cycle after drinking. Fines are real.
Walking
Honestly, walking is how you find the best parts. Tokyo is a patchwork of villages, and the distance between two stations is often a pleasant twenty minutes through lanes full of tiny restaurants. Harajuku to Shibuya on foot via Omotesando is a classic. Ueno to Asakusa is another that many people skip, and it costs nothing. Comfortable shoes are non-negotiable; many visitors clock 15,000 to 25,000 steps a day without noticing.
If you want a guide to unlock the history behind the streets, a walking game through the old streets of Asakusa makes it a lot more fun.
7. Staying Connected So You Never Get Lost
Getting around Tokyo like a local relies on a working map. The big three tools are Google Maps, which gives platform numbers, car positions and last train times; a transit app that shows delays; and a translation app with a camera mode for reading signs and menus. All of them need data.
The easiest fix is an eSIM you install before you fly, so you land with data already working.
One tip that sounds small but saves real stress: download an offline map of central Tokyo and save your hotel's address in Japanese as a screenshot. If your phone dies, you can show a taxi driver or a station attendant exactly where you want to go.
8. Day Trips by Train and Bus
One of the best things about Tokyo as a base is how much lies within two hours. A rail or bus day trip is easy to do independently, but if you prefer a ready-made plan, you have both options.
Hakone
Hakone is the classic: hot springs, lake cruises, a ropeway over a volcanic valley and, on a clear day, a glimpse of Mt Fuji. The independent route uses the Odakyu line from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto, then a loop of mountain railway, cable car, ropeway and cruise. A regional pass makes this flow without paying for every segment.
If you would rather have transport and a guide taken care of, there is a day tour that covers Owakudani and Lake Yamanaka: /japan/tokyo/hakone-owakudani-and-lake-yamanaka-day-tour-free-hakone-ropeway-optional-9-person-small-group-transfer, from S$69.70.
Mt Fuji and the Five Lakes
Direct highway buses connect Tokyo with Kawaguchiko, and they are the simplest option. A return bus ticket to Fuji-Q Highland via the lakes is here: /japan/tokyo/japan-bus-ticket-tokyo-to-fuji-q-highland-round-trip-bus-ticket-via-lake-kawaguchi-transport-passes, from S$33.14. For a guided day that includes the 5th Station, Oshino Hakkai and a hot spring, try /japan/tokyo/japan-mt-fuji-5th-station-climbing-experience-strolling-through-oshino-hakkai-and-hot-spring-experience-healing-one-d, from S$37.87. If you prefer a faster, more scenic combination with the bullet train, see /japan/tokyo/mt-fuji-i-line-a-one-day-tour-of-the-mt-fuji-hakone-shinkansen-bullet-train, from S$85.05.
A note on timing: mountain weather changes quickly, and Fuji is often hidden in cloud. Autumn and winter mornings are usually clearest. Do not plan a Fuji day around a single date; leave yourself a spare day if you can.
Nikko
Nikko is a calm contrast to Tokyo: ornate shrines, forested hillsides, waterfalls and lakes. The Tobu line runs from Asakusa. A regional Nikko pass bundles the train and local buses and saves a lot of fiddling at ticket machines.
Mt Takao
Takao is the easy hiking escape, about an hour from Shinjuku. Locals go for the autumn colour and the views. A Keio ticket that includes the cable car or chair lift makes the climb gentler for families. See /japan/tokyo/keio-one-day-ticket-with-mt-takao-cable-car-and-chair-lift-tickets, from S$19.19.
| Day trip | Travel time one way | Best season |
|---|---|---|
| Hakone | About 1.5 to 2 hours | Autumn and winter for clear views |
| Mt Fuji and Kawaguchiko | About 2 hours by bus | Late autumn to early spring |
| Nikko | About 2 hours | Autumn colour in October and November |
| Mt Takao | About 1 hour | Spring blossom and autumn leaves |
9. Three Sample Days You Can Copy
Day One: Old Tokyo on Foot and by Metro
Start early at Asakusa, before the tour buses arrive. Walk through the Kaminarimon gate and up Nakamise Street, then continue to the main hall. After a late breakfast of grilled rice crackers or melon bread, walk along the river towards the Skytree, about thirty minutes at an easy pace. Take the Ginza Line from Asakusa to Ueno for the park and museums, then ride on to Ginza for the evening neon. A single IC card covers it all, and the total comes in well under ¥1,000.
If you have the energy, try a rickshaw or a private car tour in the old streets. It is an unusual way to see Asakusa and the guide often shares local stories you will not find in a book.
Day Two: Fish, Food and Fun Wheels
For anyone who likes food, the early morning tuna auction and market experience is memorable. It means a very early start, so plan your hotel and the first train carefully.
Later the same day, for something completely different, there is a street go-kart tour through Akihabara.
Day Three: Out of Town to Hakone
Take the early Odakyu train from Shinjuku, spend the day on the mountain loop, soak in an onsen if time allows, and come back for dinner. Pack a light jacket even in summer, as it is cooler on the mountain. Be at the station by 7:30 to beat the weekend queues for the popular ropeway.
A small point on children: strollers are allowed on trains but are best folded in the rush. Elevators exist at most large stations, though they may be far from the main gate, so allow extra minutes.
10. Paperwork Before You Fly
This part is simple for Singaporeans. A Singapore passport holder can enter Japan visa-free for tourism, for a stay of up to 90 days, so you do not need to apply for a visa. Your passport should be valid for the whole stay. It is worth completing the online arrival registration before departure, which speeds up immigration and customs. If you hold a different passport, or are travelling with relatives on other nationalities, check the rules for each person on our visa requirements pages, where we list official fees, processing times and application channels by nationality.
Many embassies and visa offices ask for proof of onward travel and accommodation when you apply. If that applies to you, our flight reservation service provides a reservation to support a visa application. It is a reservation for documentation purposes, not an issued ticket, so do not treat it as your actual flight booking.
11. Money, Safety and Small Practicalities
Japan is still a surprisingly cash-friendly place. Cards work in most large shops and many restaurants, but small eateries, shrines, some local markets and vending machines can be cash only. Convenience-store ATMs accept most foreign cards and are open round the clock. Carry at least ¥10,000 in cash at any time.
Tipping is not customary and can cause confusion. If someone chases you down the street with the change you left, they are not being rude; they simply do not expect a tip.
Tokyo is one of the safest big cities in the world, and the trains are safe late at night. The usual advice still applies: keep your bag zipped, watch your phone in crowds, and keep a note of the emergency numbers: 110 for police, 119 for ambulance and fire, and 050-3816-2787 for the national tourist hotline. Travel insurance is cheap and worth having.
Coin lockers at stations are a godsend when you have checked out but your flight is in the evening. Sizes vary, and the large ones are often full in busy hubs, so try a few or use a luggage-forwarding service from your hotel to your next stop. Lockers accept IC cards at many stations.
Finally, rubbish bins are rare in the street. Carry a small bag for your own waste and throw it away at your hotel or at a convenience store. It is a small thing that locals notice.
A Local's Quick Reference Cheat Sheet
- Load a Suica or Pasmo onto your phone before you fly, and keep a physical backup.
- Follow the station codes, not the names. Go towards the higher number to move down the line.
- Take off your backpack on crowded trains and stay quiet.
- Avoid 7:30 to 9:00 in the morning and 5:30 to 7:30 in the evening if you can.
- Check the last train before you go out for dinner.
- Stand on the left on escalators in Tokyo and walk on the right.
- Carry cash. Do not tip.
- Use a regional pass for day trips, and skip the nationwide pass unless you cover several cities.
- Download offline maps and save your hotel address in Japanese.
- Give yourself a spare day for a Fuji trip, because cloud is unpredictable.
One last thing about mindset. Locals do not treat the network as a puzzle to be solved; they treat it as a habit. They glance at the platform sign, check which end of the train the exit is nearest, and move. You will get there by your second day. Make one wrong turn on purpose, get off at a station you did not plan to visit, and wander for ten minutes. Some of my favourite Tokyo memories, a tiny curry counter behind Jimbocho and a quiet shrine tucked behind an Ikebukuro office block, came from exactly that kind of accidental detour. Leave a little slack in every day, and the city repays you for it.
If you are travelling with older parents, build in more slack still. Choose hotels within a short walk of a station with lifts, avoid transfers at giant interchanges such as Shinjuku and Tokyo Station during rush hour, and favour taxis or private transfers for the first and last day. A relaxed arrival sets the tone for the whole trip.
Featured experiences in this guide
Plan your Tokyo transport before you land
Sort the airport transfer, a multi-day subway pass and your mobile data in one go, so the only decision left on arrival is which exit to take. Browse the full range of Tokyo tickets and passes and book online with HolidaySG. E-tickets are emailed after our team confirms your booking.
Browse Tokyo tickets and passesFrequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest way to pay for trains in Tokyo?
An IC card such as Suica or Pasmo. Tap in and tap out, and the fare is deducted automatically. It also works on buses, in lockers and in most convenience stores. You can add one to an iPhone Wallet before you fly, or buy a physical card at a major station.
Do I need a Japan Rail Pass for a Tokyo trip?
Usually not. The nationwide pass only pays for itself when you take several long bullet-train journeys in a short window. For Tokyo and a few day trips, a regional pass or simply an IC card is cheaper and simpler.
Should I fly into Haneda or Narita?
If you have a choice, Haneda is much closer to the city and the transfer is shorter. Narita is fine, but allow more time and check the last train if you land late. Both have train, bus and private transfer options.
Do Singapore passport holders need a visa for Japan?
For tourism, Singapore passport holders can enter visa-free for up to 90 days. Always check the current official rules before you travel, and see our visa requirements pages for other nationalities.
What time do the trains stop at night?
Most lines stop shortly after midnight, but the final departure depends on the line and direction. Your map app will show the last train for your exact route. Check it before you head out, or budget for a taxi.
Is it okay to talk or eat on a Tokyo train?
Keep conversations quiet and avoid phone calls. Eating is frowned on in local commuter trains but perfectly normal on long-distance and bullet trains, where lunch boxes are part of the experience.
Is Tokyo easy to navigate without speaking Japanese?
Yes. Stations have English signs, line colours and numbered codes, and announcements on central lines include English. With a working map app and an offline map as backup, most visitors manage comfortably.
What is the best time of year to explore Tokyo?
Late March to early April for cherry blossom and October to November for autumn colour are the most popular, and also the busiest. Early winter is crisp and clear, which is ideal for Fuji views. Summer is hot and humid, so plan indoor breaks and carry water.